Retrievable formation tester



Sept. 23, 194.1.

H. E. DRAKE RETRIEVABLE FORMATION TESTER 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed March 19, 1940 nrlllllltlIlllvlfanlnnflnnrlnhnnllllllllllllllltllllinlnlli :lll

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Sept. 23, 1941. H. E. DRAKE RETRIEVABLE FORMATION TESTER Filed March 19, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheecl 2 www@ T TORNEX Patented Sept. 23, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT (JFFICE RETRIEVABLE FORMATION TESTER Hugh E, Drake, Huntington Park, Calif.

Application March 19, 1940, Serial No. 324,809

12 Claims.

This invention relates to a retrievable formation tester, whereby the fluids, gases and the like in a Well can be recovered and examined by means of a tester which is lowered into the drill pipe from the mriace.

A feature of my invention is to provide a retrievable formation tester which is interchangeable with a core barrel.

An object of my invention is to provide a novel formation tester, which can be operated' with the mud pumps under full pressure, and while the drill pipe is rotated.

hole any reasonable length of time before or after the test.

Another feature of my invention is that my novel retrievable formation. tester makes a test on the bottom of the hole and also recovers a sample of the :duid or gas or formation, or both, in the sand, which is to be tested.

Other objects, advantages and features of invention may appear from the accompanying drawing, the subjoined detailed description and the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic, longitudinal, sectional view of my retrievable formation tester.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary, longitudinal, sectional view of the lowerpart of my retrievable formation tester. A

Figure 3 is a fragmentary, longitudinal, sectional view of the upper part of the same.

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary, longitudinal, sectional view of the upper part of my formation tester, and showing particularly the latching mechanism.

Figure 5 is a longitudinal, sectional view of the reciprocating piston.

Figure 6 is a. side elevation of the cam which operates in conjunction with thereciprocating piston.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary, longitudinal, sectional view of the lower barrel portion of my retrievable formation tester.

Referring more l:particularly to the drawings, the numeral I indicates4 the drill pipe, which extends downwardly into the bored hole from the surface of the ground.. A bit 2 is mounted on the lower end of the drill pipe, and this bit includes a plurality of fluid passages 3, which extend vertically through the bit. A central hole 4 is provided through the bit 2, and a portion of the retrievable formation tester extends through this hole, as will be further described.

(Cl. Z55-1) and rises in'the drill pipe I, a sumcient distance to entirely receive the retrieva'ole formation tester 6. A latch head l is mounted on the upper end of the guard tube 5, and receives the latching member at the top of the formation tester, as will be further described. The guard tube 5 is spaced from. the inner wall of the drill pipe to provide a fluid passage 8, through which the downwardly moving drilling mud passes. The drilling mud then is forced outwardlyl through the passages 3, and past an opening 9 in the bit, creating a partial vacuum within the guard tube 5. The reason for this evacuation on the inside of the guard tubeis to relieve a back pressure on top of any material which may enter the formation tester from the bottom; as will be evident from the subsequent description.

The formation testerA li comprises a latching sleeve l0, which includes a plurality of latching fingers II, which are pivotally attached to the head adjacent their' lower ends, as shown at I2.`

' The cable attachment pin I3 has a limited vertical movement in the sleeve I0. A horizontal pin I4 on the lower end of the cable attaching pin I3 extends into vertical slots I5 in the fingers Il, and consequently upward movement of the cable attaching pin I3 will draw the ngers II inwardly, and out of slots I6, thus releasing the formation tester when it is desired to draw the same to the surface. Gravity or other means will cause the ngers II to drop into the position shown in Figure 4, and will cause these lingers to latch and hold the formation tester against accidental longitudinal movement A long barrel I'I is attached to the lower end of the latchng sleeve I0, and this barrel retains the liquid or gas which may be recovered in the well. 'I'he barrel il, as well as the lower portion of the formation tester, ts loosely within the guard tube '5, and in order that drilling iuid may be prevented from passing downwardly between the formation tester and the guard tube, I provide a floating ring I8. 'I'his iloating ring rests against a seat I9 1n the latch head 1. A rubber ring 20 bears against the floating seating ring I8, and yieldably presses the ring against its seat. The ring I8 is mounted between the latching sleeve I0 andthe upper lface of a valve control socket 2|. The valve' control socket is threaded onto the lower end of the latching sleeve IIIz substantially as shown in Figure 4. The static pressure of the drilling mud in the drill pipe Will be exerted against the seating ring I8, thus pressing this ring tightly against its seat. Any misalignare held stationary and rotation of the drin pipe will cause the threads 46 to engage, thus moving the plug 42 upwardly off of its seat, until the top of the plug bears againstthe-bottom of the socket der, and extends downwardly through the hole 4 and protrudes'from the bit 2 a substantial dis--fv tance, as shown lu Figure 2. The lower end of the pipe 23 may be tapered, vas shown at 24, so f formation to be tested, this taper will assist in packing off the formation so that oil, gas, and the.

like will be forced upwardly into the tube instead. -of passing around .on the outside of the same. Rotation of the tool in the well will also cause the lower end of the pipe to burnf or packthe for- "matio'n, thus further insuring the proper opera* that when the pipe is forced downwardly into the tion oftheitool insofar as the upward flow of A material in the formation is concerned.

A sleeve 25 is mounted within the pipe 23, and seats against the lower tapered endA of.;this pipe, as shown Aat`26. A coil spring 21 presses againstv the topof the sleeve 25', urging the sleeve -down`" wardly against itsseat 26. A cam stud 28 screws 'into the top ofthe sleeve 2 5, and is provided with a suitable annular cam 29 on the top thereof for the purpose of actuating the vacuum piston, as will be further described.. Spring'core fingers 30,

2|, after which a driving action occurs through the po'st 4I and thence to the barrel I1. With the port 43 open, fluid in the barrel I1 can be forced outwardly ahead of oil, gas or the like which may be entering the formation tester from the bottom. The oper-ationl of my',formation'tester is as follows: v In operation, the drill .pipeI is already in the hole, with the bit 2 mounted on the lower end thereof, andwith the guard tube 5 rising into i the drill` pipe and having the latchhead 1 on the upper end thereof, asA previously described. The

' retrievable formationtester is now lowered into the hole on a suitablecable, which is attached to the pin I3, or dropped `into the hole. The. valve plug 42- is closed and in thel position shown in Figure 3. When the'formation tester reaches bottom, the latch fingers I I spring outwardly into' the openings inthe latch head, thus holding the. Aformation tester against accidental longitudinal movement.` vThe ring I8 rests on its seat I 9 to prevent drilling mudfrom passing around the 'o'utside of the formation tester. The drill pipe is now lowered, and the outer pipe 23 is spudded into the formation, thus holding this pipe against rotation. However, this action only occurs during the first part of the operation.

within the sleeve 25, engage the core, which passes,

upwardly into the' sleeve for the purpose vof holding this core' against downward movement once it hasV entered the sleeve. mounted in the cylinder 22 on anti-friction bearings 3I sorthat the cam stud will readily rotate The cam stud 28 is- Since the pipe 23 is held against rotation, the cylinder 22 and the barrel I1 are also held against rotation, and, therefore, the post 4I andthe valve plug 42 will also be held stationary, Rotation o'f the drill pipe at this time'will-also rotate the guard tube 5 and, therefore, the latch head 1 and with the sleeve. 25 when a core enters the sleeve and is engaged by the fingers 30.

A vacuum piston 32 is reciprocally and-non- 1 rotatably mounted in the cylinder 22. The pin" 33, which extends through -a slot 34'in the piston,-

holds said piston against. rotation. A cam surface 35 on the bottom ofthe piston is yengaged by the cam' 29 of the stud 28,. causing the piston tol be reciprocated as the piston is rotated, and while' the cam stud isheld against rotation because of the core which has entered the sleeve 25. A suitable check valve 36 is provided on top of the pis- .ton 32. YA coil spring 31 bears against the ytop of the piston 32, and against a head 33 ofthe cylinder, thus yieldably pressing the piston 32 `downwardly, and causing reciprocation of this piston as it is rotated relative to the camstud 23, as described above. -A second check valve 33 may be provided in the head 38-for the purpose of the socket 2l. `The threads 46 will now be eni gaged, which moves the plug 42- upwardly until this valve plug seats in the socket 2 I. As soon as the plug 42 is seated, the entire formation tester willA rotate with the drill pipe. 1

The portion of the formation tester whichprotrudes below the bit 2 then advances into the formation, causing a core tobe cut, which moves upwardly into the core sleeve 25 and is held by the spring fingers 30. Since the core is attached to the formation and consequently will not rotate, the sleeve 25 will also be held stationary, in' cluding the cam stud 2li.- ASince the cam stud 23 is stationary andthe piston 32 is revolving, the

'co-acting cam surfaces 29 and 35'wi11 cause this v piston to reciprocate, thus creating a partial vacuum within theformation tester, tending to pump trapping fluid above the head 38 and within the barrel I1.

A light check valve 40, 'above the Valve 33, normally held open by the load of the liquid inv the barrel I1.

On the upper end of the barrel I1, 'there is mounted a hollow vvalve post 4I on the upper end of which a' valve plug 4 2 isA mounted. Radial ports 43 in the" member 42,are closed by the valve sleeve 4 4 when the tool is being run into the hole. The sleeve 44 is pressed upwardly by the coil spring 45, and has a vertical movement. The valve plug- 42 isprovided with coarse external threads, which mesh with internal threads-in the lower end of the socket 2 I, as shown at 46. When the tool is lie-V ing'run into the hole, the parts are in the vposition shown in Figure 3, and with the ports 43 closed, as shown. When the tool isfat bottom, the barrel I1 and material upwardly in the formation tester, and'l eventually into the barrel I1.` The coiispring 21 permits the sleeve 25 to move vertically a small amount. Consequently` the core entering the sleeve can push this sleeve upwardly under certain conditions, thus imparting a greater stroke to the piston 3 2 due to the f act that the cam surfaces 29 and 35 are more closely engaged, Vand consequently a greater stroke is'imposed by the cam. This pumping action continues to force liquid and gas into the barrel I1, where it is through the passage 3,' thus creating partial vacpost 4|, as wen as the plug 42,175"

uum Ain the orifice 3 and, therefore, within the guard tube 5. Thus partial vacuum acts through the ports 43 (whichare now open), thus relieving a 'part' of the static pressure on top of the saidI socket being adapted to screw onto the said barrel I1, which permits the fluid from the formation to enter thisbarrel more readily. i

The formation tester can be retrieved at any time by pulling'the supporting cable upwardly.

This releases the .latch fingers Il and the entirel formation tester is elevated to the surface. This can` be done without removing the drill pipe an the drilling bit.

Having describedV my invention, I claim; 1. A retrievable formation tester adapted tg be plug and lift the plug olf of its seat on relative rotation of the socket and plug.

6. A retrievable formation tester adapted toA be operated in drill'pipe, having a bit at -the lower end thereof, a guard tube flxedly mounted mounted in drill pipe comprising means releasably securing the formation tester in the drill pipe, apump piston reciprocally mounted in the formation tester, and means tov reciprocate said piston on rotation of the drill pipe.

2. A retrievable formation tester adapted to' b operated in drill pipe com rising means releasably holding the formati n tester `in the drill pipe, a guard tube xedl -mounted in the drill pipe, the formation tester extending through the guard tube, a sealing ringmovably mounted on z the formation tester, a seat in the guard rlngon which the ring rests, aA pump piston reciprocally mounted in the formation tester, and means to reciprocate said piston on rotation of the drill pipe. A.

3'. A'retrievable formation tester adapted to be mounted in drill pipe, a guard -tube iixedly /mounted in the drill pipe at the lower end thereof, latch means on the formation tester engaging the guard tube whereby the formation tester is removably held in operative position, a pipe on the lower end of the formation tester, said pipe extendingbelow the drill pipe and adapted to extend into the formation, a sleeve rotatably within thedrill pipe, comprising a barrel, latch means on the upper end of the barrel engage- 1 able with the guard tube whereby the formation tester is releasably held in the drill pipe, a post fixedly mounted on the upper end of the barre1, an externally threaded plugon the post..said vplug having by-pass ports therein extending to the outside thereof and giving access to the inside of'the guard tube, an internally threaded socket on the upper end of the formation tester,

said socket being adapted to screw onto the said vplug and lift the plug off of its seatwon relative rotation of the socket and plug, a pump piston reciprocallyr mounted in the formation tester, and means to reciprocate said piston on rotation of the drill pipe.

7. A retrievable formation tester adapted to be operated in drill pipe, having a bit at the lower end thereof, a guard tube fixedly mounted within the drill pipe, comprising a barrel, latch means on the upper end ofthe barrel engageable with the guard tube whereby the formation tester is releasably held in. the drill pipe,

a post fixedly mounted on the upper' end of the barrel, an externally threaded plug on the post,

mounted in said pipe, core engaging means in -v the sleeve, a pump piston, means connecting the sleeve and the piston whereby the piston is reciprocated on relative rotation of the sleeve and said pipe, said pump piston being adapted and arranged to force fluid into the upper portion of the formation tester.

4. A retrievable formation tester adapted to be mounted in drill pipe, a guard .tube flxedly mounted inthe drill pipe at' the lower end thereof', latch means on the formation tester engaging the guard tube whereby the formation tester is removably held in operative position, apipe on the lower end of the formation tester, said pipe extending below the drill pipe and adapted to extend intothe formation,- a sleeve rotatably mounted in said pipe, core'engaging means4 in the sleeve, a pump piston, means connecting the sleeve and the piston whereby the piston is r'ecip able with the guard tube whereby the formation -l tester la releasably heldin the drill pipe, a post fixedly mounted on the upper end of the barrel, an externally threadedplug on thevpost, said plug having Aby-pass ports therein extending 'to the outside thereof and `giving access to the inside of the guardtube, an internally threaded socket on the upper end of the formation tester,

said plug having by-pass ports therein extending to the outside thereof and giving access to the `inside of the guard tube, an internally threaded socket on the upper end of the forma` tion tester, said socket ,being adapted to screw onto the said plug and lift the plug 0E of its seat on relative rotation of the socket and plug, a sealing ring yieldably mounted on the formation tester adjacent the upper end thereof, and a seat in'the guard tube adjacent the upper end thereof on which the ring rests.

8. A retrievable formation tester adapted to be operated in drill pipe, having a bit at the lower end thereof, a guard tube xedly mounted within the drill pipe, comprising a barrel, latch means on the upper end of the barrel engageable with the guard tube whereby the formation tester is releasably held in the drill pipena post fixedly mounted on the upper en'd of the barrel, an externally threaded plug on the post, said plug having by-pass ports therein extending to the outside thereofv and' giving access to the inside of the guard tube, Van -internally threaded socket on the upper end of the formation tester, said socket being adapted to screw onto the said plug Y and lift the plug oi! of its seat on relative rotation of the socket and plug, a ypump piston reciprocal..-4 y ly mounted in the formation tester, and means to reciprocate said piston on rotation of the drill pipe, a sealing ring yieldably mounted on the formation tester adjacent the upper end thereof, and a seat in the guard tube adjacent the upper end thereof on which the ring rests.v

9. A retrievable formation tester adapted to be operated in drill pipe, a bit on the lower end of the drill pipe, a guardltube fixedly mounted within the drill pipe, a latch head onthe guard tube, said formation tester comprising latching means adapted to engage the latch head, a bare rel, the lowerr portion ofsaid barrel extending `through the bit, a sleeve rotatably mounted in the lower portion of the barrel, core engaging means in the sleeve, a cam stub rising from. the sleeve, said cam stud having a cam surface'on th the drill pipe, la guard tube iixedly mounted in A, the drill pipe and spaced from the innerwall f .said drill pipe, .said bit Ihaving circulation holes extending therethrough, said bit havingan opening therein extending from the circulation holes l vvto the inside of the guard tube, said formation f tester. comprising an elongated barrel loosely mounted in theguard tube and extending through 'said tube, latch means connecting the formation- `rester and the guard tube whereby the formation tester is releasably heldd in the guard tube, a

'sealing ring yieldablyv mounted on the'formation tester adapted to be i above the cam stud, the cam surface on l 'i tester comprising an elongated barrel loosely mounted in the guard tube and extendingV through said tube, ylatch means connecting the formation testerand-the guard tube whereby the formation tester is releasably held in the A guard tube. a sealing ring yieldablyamounted on the formation tester adjacent the top thereof, a

' seat mythe guard tube upon which the sealing ring normally rests, a hollow .post rising, from the barrel, a valve plug on theupper end of the post, said valve plug having ports extending to the' outside thereof, a seat in the guard tube on which the v alve plug rests, means to unseat the valveplug on relative rotation of the guard tube and barrel of the formation tester, pump means in the formation tester, and means to actuate the pump means on rotation of the drill pipe.

12. A retrievable formation tester adapted to be operated in drill pipe,`a'bit on the lower end of 4tester adjacent the-top thereof, a `seat in they guard tube upon whichxthe sealing Aring rests, La

. hollow post rising from` the barrel, a valve -plug' on the upper end of the post, said valveplug having portsextendi'ng to the outside thereof, a seat in the 'guard tube on which the valve plug. normally. rests, and means to unseat the valve plugA on vrelative rotation of the guard tubeand. barrel of the formation tester.

. 11. A retrievable formation te'ster adapted to be operated in drill pipe ,/a bit on the lower end of the drill pipe, a guard tube xedly' mounted in the drill pipe and spaced fromvthe inner wall of said ldrill pipe, said bit having circulation holes ex-v tending therethrough, said bit having an opening therein extending from :thecirculationY holes to the inside. ofthe guardtube, said formation the drill pipe, a guard .tube `fixedly mounted in the drill pipe and spaced from the inner wall of said drill pipe, said bit having ,circulation holes extending therethrough, said bit having'an opening therein extending'fromthe circulation holes to-the inside of the guard tube, said formation g tester comprising yan elongated barrel loosely mounted in the guard tube and extending through said tube, latch means connecting the formation tester and the guard tube whereby the formation tester is releasably heldin the guard tube, a

sealing ring yieldably mounted on the forma-T tion tester adjacent th'e -top thereof, fa., seat in the guard tube upon -which the sealing vring rests` pump means inth formation tester, andA ,means to actuate the pump means on rotation of the drill pipe. A HUGH E. nRAKE. 

